LXXV. The note of despair in the last psalm is succeeded here by one of mingled expectancy and exultation. It is as if the pathetic question, “How long?” had suddenly and unexpectedly been answered by the appearance of a deliverer, sent, like one of the judges of old, exactly at the needful moment.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THAT... — The wonders just wrought for Israel have repeated the old conviction that God’s name, a word of power to save (comp. Psalms 34:18; Psalms 145:18), is near. (Comp. Psalms 105:1.)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I. — Rather, _When I have chosen my time, I will judge uprightly._ This sense: “my time” being shown by the emphatic “I” of the Hebrew. (Comp. Acts 17:31.) The word rendered in the Authorised Version “congregation” (_moed_)_,_ has plainly here its first derivative sense of a set time, or “occas... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EARTH... — Better — “Are earth and all its inhabitants dissolved? It was I adjusted its pillars.” (See Hannah’s song, 1 Samuel 2:8.) Though the crisis be such that all is confusion and anarchy (comp. Isaiah 24:19 for the figure), there is no cause for fear; there is still a Ruler in heaven, He... [ Continue Reading ]
FOOLS... FOOLISHLY. — Better, _arrogant_ ... _arrogantly._ See Psalms 73:3. (Comp. 1 Samuel 2:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT NOT UP YOUR HORN. — The “horn” is a symbol of _honour_ (Psalms 112:9); of _strength_ (Micah 4:13; Deuteronomy 33:17). The figure is taken from horned animals. (See 1 Samuel 2:1; 1 Samuel 2:10.) WITH A STIFF NECK. — Better, _with the neck proudly or wantonly raised. _... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR PROMOTION... — The Authorised Version has here rightly set aside the pointing of the text, which, as the LXX. and Vulg., reads — “For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the wilderness of mountains,” a sentence which has no conclusion. The recurrence also of parts of the verb “to li... [ Continue Reading ]
A CUP. — The figure of the cup of Divine fury is developed, as Psalms 11:6 compared with Psalms 16:5 shows, from the more general one which represents life itself as a draught which must be drunk, bitter or sweet, according to the portion assigned. It appears again in Psalms 60:3, and is worked out... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL I CUT. — The Divine speaker again abruptly takes up the word in this verse. (For the abruptness, comp. Isaiah 48:15.) The “cutting off of the horns” recalls Zechariah 1:18 _seq.;_ Lamentations 2:3.... [ Continue Reading ]